ROURKELA 12-May-2007 158
Manipur retained the title, defeating West Bengal 2-1 in the final match of the 15th Women’s Senior National Football Championship at the Ispat Stadium here on today. It was a creditable victory for Manipur considering the fact that they trailed by a goal till the 79th minute.
Striker Sujata Kar gave West Bengal the early lead by finding the opposition net in the second minute. A Santhobi Devi scored the equalizer for Manipur in the 79th minute and NG Bala Devi headed home the match-winner four minutes later.
NG Bala Devi was adjudged player of the tournament, while Sujata Kar bagged the player of the match award. N Ronibala Chanu, O Benben Devi (both Manipur), Enakshi Biswal and Shilpi Deb (both West Bengal) were awarded as best goalkeeper, best midfileder, best defender and best forward respectively.
Earlier in the semifinals, NG Baladevi struck four goals, including a hat-trick to power Manipur to a thumping 5-0 victory over Goa, while Orissa crashed to a 4-0 defeat against West Bengal. Sujata Kar starred in the West Bengal win with a hat-trick. National Games gold medallists Orissa suffered a body blow shortly after the kick-off when skipper Shrandhanjali Samantaray left the field after suffering a knee injury.
State Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro and Minsiter of State for Sports Debasis Nayak gave away the trophies at the closing function. Orissa Olympic Association secretary Ashirbad Behera and host Orissa State Women’s Football Association working president S P Nayak were present on the occasion.
